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- Review count12
- Helpfulness votes730
- First reviewMarch 7, 2011
- Last reviewJune 7, 2015
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- Average rating4.5
- Review comment count17
- Helpfulness votes19
- First review commentMay 2, 2012
- Last review commentJune 28, 2015
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- First answerMay 6, 2015
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The all-new thinner and lighter design makes iPad 2 even more comfortable to hold. It's even more powerful with the dual-core A5 chip, yet has the same 10 hours of battery life.1 With two cameras, you can make FaceTime video calls,2 record HD video and put a twist on your snapshots in Photo Booth. And the iPad Smart Cover attaches magnetically and wakes up, stands up and brightens up your iPad 2.3
Posted by: saint04
from FL
I purchased my iPad 2 primarily for course work while working on my masters. In class I use an apple Bluetooth keyboard to take notes with Pages. What's really cool about pages is that it now sinks with OSX Mountain Lion (I use a Mac-mini). I don't bother carrying around binders any more which is great. All I really need to keep are folders for printed out and graded course work for home/personal use. I also use a tablet pen with pen ultimate for any free hand notes I may need to take. So when it's time for class I just take my Targus shoulder bag with me containing my iPad pen, Bluetooth keyboard, hdmi cable, hdmi to dvi adapter, headphones and iPad hdmi adapter. I carry the adapters for giving presentations from my iPad to an external monitor/projector and I also use the iPad for my note outlines when giving speeches, Bible studies or Sermons. I also use the kindle app to read my course books. Not having to carry heavy course books was one of my largest factors in deciding to purchase an iPad. I carry little to nothing now with this great tool.
I originally purchased the New iPad, but have found that I prefer the longer battery life and shorter recharge time of the iPad 2. I also like that this unit runs much cooler than the iPad 2. What's also pretty cool about my particular model is that it's an iPad 2,4. The iPad 2,4 has the newest A5 processor utilizing new types of materials at the 32nm process vs Apple's current 45nm. This translates to 15 to 30% longer battery life getting me 11 to 15 hours under normal use and watching video. Most people have not heard about this upgrade but it can be googled and anandtech (website) provides a much more indepth article of what I'm talking about. So technically the iPad 2,4 is more advanced in regards to power efficiency than the new iPad processor (not in comparison to graphics; just processor efficiency). Apple released this new hardware (SoC-system on a chip) discretely. The new iPad does not offer this although it would greatly bennifit from it. Apple says the new iPad battery life equates to the iPad 2 and as the owner of both, I can tell you it's not even close. I get nearly a third to double the battery life with the iPad 2,4. I gave up bluetooth 4.0, 1/2 the memory, 5mp camera, retina display and voice dictation with the move. Those did not matter much to me although I like the retina display. Bluetooth 2.0 works fine for me and my Apple keyboard, the additional memory gets used up by the retina display, the ipad2 is still very nice, I don't use voice dictation much and I dont really take photos with my iPad. The iPad 2 meets my needs.
Two other things I have appreciated with going to the ipad2 is the lighter weight and smaller form factor. Although these things don't seem like much, I have noticed the difference and do appreciatte it. I'm hoping the 4th gen iPad will be the best of both these tablets and I'm sure it will.
I hope this review helps a little in deciding if and what iPad to get yourself or someone else. Take care and blessings.
What's great about it: Portability, quality build, apple software productivity suite (pages), battery life
What's not so great: Screen resolution is acceptable, but not the best. Speakers located on one side.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Features
4
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+32points
37of 42voted this as helpful.
Apple MacBook Pro Pre-owned Laptop: Enjoy portable entertainment and productivity with this 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro laptop. Its Thunderbolt port and AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi provide for high-speed connectivity, and it has an HD FaceTime camera for live video chats. This Apple MacBook Pro laptop has 320GB of storage and 4GB of RAM to handle multiple simultaneous programs smoothly.
Posted by: saint04
from FL
I wasn't a believer of MACs until I purchased this Macbook pro to try out for a little while myself. I was the guy that criticized the MAC guys for making a steep investment into an over-rated, priced and proprietary product. However, I have to say Apple is passionate about what they do compared to their PC counterparts. I respected that and so I gave them a try. The Apple Corp does many things well, most of all, they take pride in designing quality products that their consumers will enjoy reliably for years to come. I am very happy with my Macbook, I was just giving the Macbook a trial out of curiosities' sake when I purchased it, now I'm quite confident I will not be looking towards PCs anytime soon or returning it. I have a quality built product with an extremely stable OS. Although Apple is proprietary, it gives them the ability to keep and control a stable platform the is compatible with all it's other counterparts/Apple products across the board. Apple must do this to keep the brand image looking good. As long as Apple love's what it does, this company will carry on it's legacy of success. I find it ironic that I've not heard a MAC owner complain about their systems yet. PCs, well we all have horror stories and experiences of our own without myself rambling on.
The battery life is phenomenal rated at 7 hours; however, I cant get 10+. Performance is great and there is up to 4x the performance of the previous 13" Macbook Pro when converting files. The system feels great and solid in the hands. All my applications I have running on my system are fluid, I have not had any crashes and freezes yet. It also runs multiple programs at once without hiccup; I wouldn't say it's perfect, but pretty close. If you are in the market for a MAC, I don't think you will be disappointed with the 13" Macbook Pro, give them a try. I was blind, but now I see.
The battery life is phenomenal rated at 7 hours; however, I cant get 10+. Performance is great and there is up to 4x the performance of the previous 13" Macbook Pro when converting files. The system feels great and solid in the hands. All my applications I have running on my system are fluid, I have not had any crashes and freezes yet. It also runs multiple programs at once without hiccup; I wouldn't say it's perfect, but pretty close. If you are in the market for a MAC, I don't think you will be disappointed with the 13" Macbook Pro, give them a try. I was blind, but now I see.
What's great about it: Size, Battery Life, Performance, Quality Build Structure, Stable OS, Support, Aesthetics, Proud Company
What's not so great: Price is somewhat steep, but you get more for your money in the premium PC category for comparable systems
I would recommend this to a friend!
Display
5
Performance
5
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+42points
53of 64voted this as helpful.
Access the Internet with this Dell 13.3" XPS13-0015SLV Ultrabook laptop that features a wireless LAN, so you can enjoy streaming content, Web sites and more. Bluetooth 3.0 + HS technology allows easy connection to compatible devices. Preloaded with Microsoft Office Home and Student 2010User activation required. Authorizing key card is included in the box. Take a tour of the Ultrabook XPS 13. Windows 7 Home Premium installedLearn more.Learn more about Intel® processors.Information provided by Intel.Learn more about Intel® Wireless Display.
Overall
1 out of 5
1 out of 5Can't stand the noise it makes!!
By Brad29032
from SIlver Spring MD
I liked everything about this laptop except for the ridiculously loud fan noise it makes. I realized the fan noise as soon as I turned it on. The fan is on all the time, sometimes it goes off for few seconds then start up again with that intrusive noise. I am really disappoint with the design flaw, I am a student and I have to use a laptop in class, this system was originally to replace my 2 years old Asus(which btw is much quieter than this "ultrabook" ), but apparently I can't use this system in a classroom because it is just too loud. I can't believe dell had such flaw in designing this product. I will have no choice but return this unit and perhaps get a Mac which I heard has more reliable hardware. Really disappointed in dell cause I was really looking forward to this system, and now after the first day of use I have to return it, but that doesn't mean I will not buy from Dell again!!
saint04
FL
Updates resolve earlier adopter issues; SECOND TRY
May 2, 2012
I can confirm for myself that the bios update did fix the loud and spuratic fan issue. When I experience this problem the fan would go from off to full on which was obnoxiously loud. The fan now stays off for longer periods of time and when it does come on it does so discretely and progressively. I hope this helps !
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
MacBook Pro features Intel's latest quad core processor, the core i5 processor, for a boost in processor and memory speeds. New next-generation graphics deliver performance levels that are up to 60 percent faster than before. And high-speed Thunderbolt I/O lets you transfer data at rates up to 10 GBps. The MacBook Pro is a great computer that just got even greater.
Overall
5 out of 5
5 out of 5its awesome.. way faster than the previous model
By ilovemynewmacpro
from west covina, ca
i used to have the model of macbook pro 13" before this. i got it 10 days ago, i didn't know apple was releasing a new one soon thats why i bought one before the launch. i had problems with the iPhoto so i went back to best buy to get it checked and see if i can get a new one of the same model i had. so while i was waiting, i was looking at the apple displays and they didn't have the new pro's on the floor yet. the lady came out and handed me a new pro. she said this is a new pro. i said "ok". in my mind i thought she was talking about it being brand new box. then she said, we don't have the same model that i bought 10 days ago, and she said this is the new pro that came out yesterday. i was surprised coz they just handed me the newest model that came out on the 11th. WOW! i dint know they had it already. i guess I'm one of the first ones to own one! its waaay faster processor and i noticed the images are sharper. i love it! <3
saint04
FL
Same screen
June 15, 2012
Hello there, I just wanted to inform you that the screen in the June (Ivy Bridge) 13" MBP is the same as the previous generation. The user experience should be about the same over all with a slight increase in processing power and "up to 60% improvement for graphics processing." Sound quality is also the same. The new model however should have less fan-noise under load because of the new fan design (Asymmetrical). Battery life may be a tad better too because of the more efficient processor...
0points
2of 4voted this comment as helpful.
The all-new thinner and lighter design makes iPad 2 even more comfortable to hold. It's even more powerful with the dual-core A5 chip, yet has the same 10 hours of battery life.1 With two cameras, you can make FaceTime video calls,2 record HD video and put a twist on your snapshots in Photo Booth. And the iPad Smart Cover attaches magnetically and wakes up, stands up and brightens up your iPad 2.3
Overall
3 out of 5
3 out of 5an instruction booklet would be nice.
By wxhdrider
I enjoy having the iPad but it is not beginner user friendly.
saint04
FL
Instructions are sent by email
July 17, 2012
I noticed your review and thought a response may help considering I found the solution to your problem. After registering my ad, apple emailed me a link and it provides an entire digital manual. Personally I think it should have been preloaded on the device. Here's the link for you:
http://insideapple.apple.com/redir/cbx-cgi.do?v=2&la=en&lc=us&a=%2BIgjgbM9K%2BCqhD5cPKTMApC70rrrQ%2ByG6lO2ovZhWsdxXC0X%2B7JWPUZMdJmZVJBKphAWaIvZozQk6kx7WLd4YALcvf4sfnBAVHt8OzZ8HrS4tL4wS1dswMqE6TU9YOVqDwTd7jUMWdJT07OKiBJ%2FiagzJwrCr8ODnWp0ma9MPjraVUk31q94iOhAX%2F9OMH7zjUaUEmL0Lt3Oa77fzFrILw%3D%3D
http://insideapple.apple.com/redir/cbx-cgi.do?v=2&la=en&lc=us&a=%2BIgjgbM9K%2BCqhD5cPKTMApC70rrrQ%2ByG6lO2ovZhWsdxXC0X%2B7JWPUZMdJmZVJBKphAWaIvZozQk6kx7WLd4YALcvf4sfnBAVHt8OzZ8HrS4tL4wS1dswMqE6TU9YOVqDwTd7jUMWdJT07OKiBJ%2FiagzJwrCr8ODnWp0ma9MPjraVUk31q94iOhAX%2F9OMH7zjUaUEmL0Lt3Oa77fzFrILw%3D%3D
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
The all-new thinner and lighter design makes iPad 2 even more comfortable to hold. It's even more powerful with the dual-core A5 chip, yet has the same 10 hours of battery life.1 With two cameras, you can make FaceTime video calls,2 record HD video and put a twist on your snapshots in Photo Booth. And the iPad Smart Cover attaches magnetically and wakes up, stands up and brightens up your iPad 2.3
Overall
4 out of 5
4 out of 5Glad I bought it.
By desparate54
from Denver, CO
In general, a good purchase. Does not replace computer, particularly for Facebook. Cannot use for gmail at all, cannot set imap? Google advice did not work. RI store I bought it in has classes on how to use it. Do any in southwest Denver? Probably gets more favorable reviews from tech savy purchasers.
saint04
FL
Gmail does work. I use it myself.
July 29, 2012
You can set the iPad up to run your email through an exchange or imap server. I prefer exchange so that I can delete emails from the server. Gmail will provide you setting to set your exchange service up and imap should be automatic through your ipad. I hope this helps.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Productivity in a premium and fit package.
By saint04
from FL
First off, I would like to express my needs a little as a consumer and how this device meets those needs by giving a little background about myself. I'm currently a full time student working on my Master’s degree. What this means for me is that I need a portable device that can produce content and last all day. The surface tablet does this for me. Alternatively, I also enjoy using this device to browse the internet. I don't use it for gaming, just file management, media entertainment and productivity using office suite that is included on the Surface RT. The only disappointment I have found is that this processor is already dated now that Nvidia has released their Tegra 4 processor. Fortunately, the Tegra 3 performs well in this device. I have used the ipad 4 (purchased and returned for the Surface; I sold my iPad 3 on ebay#. I don’t recommend waiting for the Surface with Tegra 4 because it may not show up until October which is nearly at the end of the year. My review will contrast the Surface to the trend setting iPad 4.. Continue on with my review for further details on my experiences with the device’s features:
Screen:
The cleartype screen is beautiful. While it’s not 1080p, text and images are clear enough. What is even more notable is that the screen is laminated directly to the glass taking away gaps. What this means for you/me is that it looks as if you are directly touching the screen and the screen looks even with the black borders of the device. Colors are extremely vivid and the screen is bright enough for a little outdoor use.
The cleartype screen is beautiful. While it’s not 1080p, text and images are clear enough. What is even more notable is that the screen is laminated directly to the glass taking away gaps. What this means for you/me is that it looks as if you are directly touching the screen and the screen looks even with the black borders of the device. Colors are extremely vivid and the screen is bright enough for a little outdoor use.
Sound:
The sound quality is adequate. I would say that they are above average when comparing them to an entry level laptop around $300. While the sound coming out of these speaker are not stereo quality, I am pleased with them in that they perform fine and I have no issues with crackling or sound clarity.
The sound quality is adequate. I would say that they are above average when comparing them to an entry level laptop around $300. While the sound coming out of these speaker are not stereo quality, I am pleased with them in that they perform fine and I have no issues with crackling or sound clarity.
Ports:
Awesome! I use this tablet at home in a desktop configuration. I connect my surface up to an external USB hub which connects it to a wire mouse, keyboard and printer. I also have my Surface RT hooked up to an external 23" monitor using a micro HDMI to full size HDMI cable I purchased from Amazon for about $3.50. My Philips speakers with built in subwoofers sound great when hooked up to the headphone jack to watch movies through my amazon prime account. One knock on having the external monitor/tv hooked up is that shades of colors do not transition smoothly such as in large background backdrops i.e. a black background that fades to grays will look more like stacked blocks transitioning from one color to another. I have not noticed any of this In movies or pictures. It’s not an inconvenience, but I did think it was worth noting. Also worth noting is that you cannot have the keyboard cover closed over the screen if you are using an external monitor/tv because it will put the device to sleep and cut off the monitor/tv. At first I thought my surface was broken and my monitor would randomly shut off until I realized the keyboard cover was putting the device to sleep.
Awesome! I use this tablet at home in a desktop configuration. I connect my surface up to an external USB hub which connects it to a wire mouse, keyboard and printer. I also have my Surface RT hooked up to an external 23" monitor using a micro HDMI to full size HDMI cable I purchased from Amazon for about $3.50. My Philips speakers with built in subwoofers sound great when hooked up to the headphone jack to watch movies through my amazon prime account. One knock on having the external monitor/tv hooked up is that shades of colors do not transition smoothly such as in large background backdrops i.e. a black background that fades to grays will look more like stacked blocks transitioning from one color to another. I have not noticed any of this In movies or pictures. It’s not an inconvenience, but I did think it was worth noting. Also worth noting is that you cannot have the keyboard cover closed over the screen if you are using an external monitor/tv because it will put the device to sleep and cut off the monitor/tv. At first I thought my surface was broken and my monitor would randomly shut off until I realized the keyboard cover was putting the device to sleep.
Build Quality:
If build quality and design are of utmost importance to you like it is myself, the Surface RT will not disappoint you. The casing and kickstand are very sturdy. The design is angular and fits firmly in the hand without any out of place creaks or sounds. The iPad 4th gen has a smooth rounded finish/edges which feels like it could slip out of the hand much easier than the surface. The Surface’s surface offers much more grip than the anodized finish on the iPad.
If build quality and design are of utmost importance to you like it is myself, the Surface RT will not disappoint you. The casing and kickstand are very sturdy. The design is angular and fits firmly in the hand without any out of place creaks or sounds. The iPad 4th gen has a smooth rounded finish/edges which feels like it could slip out of the hand much easier than the surface. The Surface’s surface offers much more grip than the anodized finish on the iPad.
Battery Life:
It’s as advertised. If you are modest with the backlight and are just typing papers or something not processor intensive, you should be able to get 9 to 10 hours out of the device as I have. It takes about 1.5 hours to get the battery life to 75% from a depleted battery when the tablet puts itself into standby mode #approx. 3-5% battery remaining#. I don’t recall what it is to reach 100%, but it’s not much longer. I just threw this in my review because I have had my device charging while using it from being depleted while replying to emails, browsing the net and writing this review.
It’s as advertised. If you are modest with the backlight and are just typing papers or something not processor intensive, you should be able to get 9 to 10 hours out of the device as I have. It takes about 1.5 hours to get the battery life to 75% from a depleted battery when the tablet puts itself into standby mode #approx. 3-5% battery remaining#. I don’t recall what it is to reach 100%, but it’s not much longer. I just threw this in my review because I have had my device charging while using it from being depleted while replying to emails, browsing the net and writing this review.
Window 8 RT:
Windows 8 RT in appearance is exactly the same as the full version of windows #I prefer it this way#. The only thing you will be lacking is installing third party apps. So no, I cannot manage my iTunes content on my Surface RT. However, I can put my iTunes content onto the Surface from an external hard drive that I hook up to my desktop and use it on the Surface. Since I use my Surface for managing bills, files #word, power point, excel, pictures and mp3s# and creating content for classes, Windows 8 RT nearly offers everything I need in a laptop. I use the metro interface for interacting with the touch-screen #touch optimized# and the desktop interface #mouse/keyboard optimized# when I’m using the surface with my external peripherals and I need multiple windows for research, writing, email, calendar, copy and paste etc #standard windows shortcuts on the keyboard works which is a huge plus#. It’s wonderful not having to jump in and out of different windows and the surface permits this functionality! Even cooler is that there is spell check built into everything you do whether you are typing an email up through your browser #internet explorer# or working on a Word document. My wife mainly uses the desktop now. My only use for it is move iTunes content onto my surface.
Windows 8 RT in appearance is exactly the same as the full version of windows #I prefer it this way#. The only thing you will be lacking is installing third party apps. So no, I cannot manage my iTunes content on my Surface RT. However, I can put my iTunes content onto the Surface from an external hard drive that I hook up to my desktop and use it on the Surface. Since I use my Surface for managing bills, files #word, power point, excel, pictures and mp3s# and creating content for classes, Windows 8 RT nearly offers everything I need in a laptop. I use the metro interface for interacting with the touch-screen #touch optimized# and the desktop interface #mouse/keyboard optimized# when I’m using the surface with my external peripherals and I need multiple windows for research, writing, email, calendar, copy and paste etc #standard windows shortcuts on the keyboard works which is a huge plus#. It’s wonderful not having to jump in and out of different windows and the surface permits this functionality! Even cooler is that there is spell check built into everything you do whether you are typing an email up through your browser #internet explorer# or working on a Word document. My wife mainly uses the desktop now. My only use for it is move iTunes content onto my surface.
Use:
I use it lying down in tablet mode without the tablet cover on when I’m going to bed. In desktop mode, I leave the keyboard cover unattached with the device facing upward. This is because the cover will put the device into sleep mode and turnoff the external monitor attached to it. While on the couch replying to emails and doing research, I use the device with the keyboard and kickstand out in my lap or on the coffee table in front of me. I have read much about individuals not being able to use this device as a laptop in their lap, I have had no issues with this. The cover keyboard has a layer that gives it support and the kickstand and device sit across my lap… In class, I have a desktop or table in front of me, the kickstand and keyboard sit right at home there while I’m typing up and or recording notes for future reference. I have been very impressed with how well the touch keyboard works since I have adjusted to it.
Why focus on the iPad and Surface and not other competitor devices? :
For me, other devices do not offer the aftermarket support and accessories in the event that I lose, misplace or damage an adapter, power charger, keyboard cover etc. Also, I have product support through either the Apple stores or Microsoft stores.
Conclusion: Why Surface over iPad 4 #and mini# for me?:
As I previously stated, I’m a student. I submit my school work to my professors using the Microsoft Office Suite and formats i.e. Word, Power Point and Excel. For some of my courses, the professors have students submit their content to an online site #or email# which requires the student to be able to upload their files. I could not do this with the iPad #no file manager# which required me to have a desktop handy. While I only used my iPad for browsing the internet, watching movies, listening to podcasts and typing notes while in class, I can do that with the Surface RT and more. The more part is that in some of my courses I have been required to work in groups with other students. My iPad didn’t allow for me to contribute by being able to coordinate work through Google docs and Microsoft suites, my Surface does. My surface also allows me the convenience of giving presentations with it without the need of purchasing or carry additional adapters. I’ll definitely miss the retina display in the iPad, but the Surface’s screen and functionality will definitely suffice. I have nearly a full-fledged computer and no crippled browser. I believe Microsoft is doing a wonderful job and has the right idea with Windows 8 and the Surface lineup. If you are not a student/employee or don't need a word processor with extra functionality, I'd recommend you go with an iPad 4, only for the display hardware and apps store; just my personal opinion. While Microsoft may be coming out with an office suite for the iPad in the near future, the iPad #IOS# as I have mentioned does not have a file manager. So you may have difficulty attaching and uploading files if this is a need of yours. The iPad is perfect for content consumption and holds its weight well in terms of awesome hardware. As a student or employee that needs the MS Office Suite, I’d recommend the Surface to you as a premium device with a premium fit and finish. One last thing, the MS Office Suite is the full version, the only lacking features is the ability to use third party add-ins such as macros. Neither device #iPad/Surface# is better than the other. They are two devices that offer different features to meet consumer demands. Pick your poison.
I use it lying down in tablet mode without the tablet cover on when I’m going to bed. In desktop mode, I leave the keyboard cover unattached with the device facing upward. This is because the cover will put the device into sleep mode and turnoff the external monitor attached to it. While on the couch replying to emails and doing research, I use the device with the keyboard and kickstand out in my lap or on the coffee table in front of me. I have read much about individuals not being able to use this device as a laptop in their lap, I have had no issues with this. The cover keyboard has a layer that gives it support and the kickstand and device sit across my lap… In class, I have a desktop or table in front of me, the kickstand and keyboard sit right at home there while I’m typing up and or recording notes for future reference. I have been very impressed with how well the touch keyboard works since I have adjusted to it.
Why focus on the iPad and Surface and not other competitor devices? :
For me, other devices do not offer the aftermarket support and accessories in the event that I lose, misplace or damage an adapter, power charger, keyboard cover etc. Also, I have product support through either the Apple stores or Microsoft stores.
Conclusion: Why Surface over iPad 4 #and mini# for me?:
As I previously stated, I’m a student. I submit my school work to my professors using the Microsoft Office Suite and formats i.e. Word, Power Point and Excel. For some of my courses, the professors have students submit their content to an online site #or email# which requires the student to be able to upload their files. I could not do this with the iPad #no file manager# which required me to have a desktop handy. While I only used my iPad for browsing the internet, watching movies, listening to podcasts and typing notes while in class, I can do that with the Surface RT and more. The more part is that in some of my courses I have been required to work in groups with other students. My iPad didn’t allow for me to contribute by being able to coordinate work through Google docs and Microsoft suites, my Surface does. My surface also allows me the convenience of giving presentations with it without the need of purchasing or carry additional adapters. I’ll definitely miss the retina display in the iPad, but the Surface’s screen and functionality will definitely suffice. I have nearly a full-fledged computer and no crippled browser. I believe Microsoft is doing a wonderful job and has the right idea with Windows 8 and the Surface lineup. If you are not a student/employee or don't need a word processor with extra functionality, I'd recommend you go with an iPad 4, only for the display hardware and apps store; just my personal opinion. While Microsoft may be coming out with an office suite for the iPad in the near future, the iPad #IOS# as I have mentioned does not have a file manager. So you may have difficulty attaching and uploading files if this is a need of yours. The iPad is perfect for content consumption and holds its weight well in terms of awesome hardware. As a student or employee that needs the MS Office Suite, I’d recommend the Surface to you as a premium device with a premium fit and finish. One last thing, the MS Office Suite is the full version, the only lacking features is the ability to use third party add-ins such as macros. Neither device #iPad/Surface# is better than the other. They are two devices that offer different features to meet consumer demands. Pick your poison.
saint04
FL
Homegroup
January 9, 2013
I would just like to state that while I'm on my home network, I sink my desktop with my Surface RT to play music (&movies) or retrieve (copy files wirelessly from my desktop to Surface RT over the wireless network) any necessary file while I'm working in my back room (office). Everything work well. For some reason, my surface won't print over homegroup because of stated driver issues. However, it will print when I hook the tablet directly to my printer (Brother DCP7040)... Strange.
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5Great device for getting work done on the go...
By mgarren
from Valdosta, Georgia
First off, I would like to assert that Microsoft has reached the perfect balance between power and versatility in developing a tablet that is both pragmatic and a joy to use. As an IB Student and KCI board member, I find this tablet perfect for taking notes during class (with the included word and onenote programs) as well as listening to iTunes music and fiddling with apps. In regards to the hardware, this tablet is obviously no powerhouse, yet I cannot see why anyone would want a powerhouse tablet (e.g. I7 core, +2 gb ram, etc) in a 10 inch screen platform. In other words, this tablet can handle anything thrown at it within reason of basic computing. Although there is a sizeable difference in screen quality in comparison to other tablets such as the iPad, I'm able to overlook it due to the tablet's other advantages (e.g. a office suite that doesn't have compatibility issues like pages#. Finally, I wish this tablet would have a better interface for styluses, but I can understand the goal of the developers in making an ARM based tablet with very long battery life #it usually lasts me the whole day#.
Disclaimer: There is a very limited number of apps for this tablet and the ARM processor prohibits users from installing full programs off of the internet, but honestly there shouldn't be an expectation for running resource intensive programs on a 10 inch tablet platform #e.g. AutoCAD). The lack of apps on the market is annoying, but I believe it is a matter of developers getting use to the relatively new metro interface.
saint04
FL
iTunes Music
January 9, 2013
How do you listen to your iTunes music over your Surface tablet? Do you mean mp3s from your iTunes music library that you have copied over to the tablet? Thanks in advance for your response to my question :-) .
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
With a 5" Super AMOLED HD touch screen and an Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system, this Samsung Galaxy S 4 M919 cell phone makes it easy to stay connected on the go. The 13.0MP rear-facing camera lets you capture vibrant photos and video clips.Requires a minimum $20/month Web access fee with all Classic voice plans.Early termination fees may apply. Learn more about the Samsung Galaxy S 4
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5I Returned the HTC One for the S4
By saint04
from FL
Intro:
I originally purchased the HTC One from a local Tmobile franchise. So my review will contrast the S4 with the HTC One. When I got home, the HTC seemed right in about every way. Build quality in a premium priced device is always a top priority for me, which is why I chose it over the S4. I was fortunate to not have any dead pixels and the boom speakers should be a set standard for phones; they sound great. Samsung was one of the first to have forward facing speakers in a tablet. They should have carried this over into their phones. However, after learning more about the two phones, I realized I had purchased the wrong phone. So I returned the HTC One for the Samsung Galaxy S4. Read along to see why.
I originally purchased the HTC One from a local Tmobile franchise. So my review will contrast the S4 with the HTC One. When I got home, the HTC seemed right in about every way. Build quality in a premium priced device is always a top priority for me, which is why I chose it over the S4. I was fortunate to not have any dead pixels and the boom speakers should be a set standard for phones; they sound great. Samsung was one of the first to have forward facing speakers in a tablet. They should have carried this over into their phones. However, after learning more about the two phones, I realized I had purchased the wrong phone. So I returned the HTC One for the Samsung Galaxy S4. Read along to see why.
Build Quality:
The build quality of the S4 feels great and sturdy in the hand. It is slimmer than the One, has a larger screen and weighs less. While it doesn't have as much of the premium fit and finish feel as the HTC One, it is just as sturdy. One large disappoint I had with the HTC One was that I realized it had not come with the 3rd generation of Gorilla Glass after purchasing it. My fault. HTC chose to use Gorilla Glass 2. Gorilla Glass 3rd Gen is 3x's less likely to scratch. Also, after watching some drop tests, I found that the poly-carbonate body (white color) of the S4 holds up better cosmetically when scratched or dropped. I am OCD at times and I don't tolerate scratches and scuffs well. So, if this does happen, the worst case scenario is that I can replace the back cover of the S4. The front of the phone is completely covered in 3rd Gen Gorilla Glass. This is one of the reasons why I believe the S4 does not have front facing speakers. Samsung choose to cover the entire front with glass and speaker grills would interfere with this design choice. One other thing that I found very disturbing about the HTC One is that the front speaker grills are lightly glued on. In some of the drop tests I observed (youtube), they easily popped off and would not press back in. This is not part of a premium design to me. Also, the speaker grills on the One will sometimes have gaps. Most users will put a case on their phone. Given this, I think the Samsung polycarbonate body is more practical and durable in everyday use.
The build quality of the S4 feels great and sturdy in the hand. It is slimmer than the One, has a larger screen and weighs less. While it doesn't have as much of the premium fit and finish feel as the HTC One, it is just as sturdy. One large disappoint I had with the HTC One was that I realized it had not come with the 3rd generation of Gorilla Glass after purchasing it. My fault. HTC chose to use Gorilla Glass 2. Gorilla Glass 3rd Gen is 3x's less likely to scratch. Also, after watching some drop tests, I found that the poly-carbonate body (white color) of the S4 holds up better cosmetically when scratched or dropped. I am OCD at times and I don't tolerate scratches and scuffs well. So, if this does happen, the worst case scenario is that I can replace the back cover of the S4. The front of the phone is completely covered in 3rd Gen Gorilla Glass. This is one of the reasons why I believe the S4 does not have front facing speakers. Samsung choose to cover the entire front with glass and speaker grills would interfere with this design choice. One other thing that I found very disturbing about the HTC One is that the front speaker grills are lightly glued on. In some of the drop tests I observed (youtube), they easily popped off and would not press back in. This is not part of a premium design to me. Also, the speaker grills on the One will sometimes have gaps. Most users will put a case on their phone. Given this, I think the Samsung polycarbonate body is more practical and durable in everyday use.
Camera:
The S4 has a great camera and shows a vivid amount of detail and color in the right lighting. However, I found the 4MP camera on the HTC to be more practical and preferable. I don’t really believe one is really better than the other for either phone. But I do believe the HTC is the better all-around camera for taking pictures while the S4 expresses more details and has more picture/recording/editing/affect options.
The S4 has a great camera and shows a vivid amount of detail and color in the right lighting. However, I found the 4MP camera on the HTC to be more practical and preferable. I don’t really believe one is really better than the other for either phone. But I do believe the HTC is the better all-around camera for taking pictures while the S4 expresses more details and has more picture/recording/editing/affect options.
Storage:
I don’t have much to say. The S4 comes with 16GB with about 9GB usable for apps. There is a memory expansion slot on the S4 that can be expanded with a 64GB micro SD card, while the HTC comes with 32GB in the base model.
I don’t have much to say. The S4 comes with 16GB with about 9GB usable for apps. There is a memory expansion slot on the S4 that can be expanded with a 64GB micro SD card, while the HTC comes with 32GB in the base model.
Interface (Human Factors/Interface)
The S4 user interface is unappealing to me cosmetically. Samsung should have provided more themes from factory for the user. I preferred the HTC theme/layout. However, the S4 touch wiz interface gets the job done in all its colorful glory. But that’s where my favoritism with the HTC over the Sammy ends. The Samsung’s theme can be replaced through the Google Play store. In regards to the layout of the phone’s buttons, they are much preferable to me on the S4. The S4 lock button is on the side which is easier to access than at the very top of the phone like on the HTC One. This makes one-handed operation difficult and aggravating. The top lock button did not have a crisp/clean feel either. I also had difficulty at time with the capacitive buttons on the front of the screen on the HTC; they would randomly stop responding and take multiple presses/touches. The screen lagged at times too. What’s also neat about the S4 is that it has a simple mode that geared more towards those who are not so tech savvy. I found this neat, but not for me. One other feature out of a plethora that I won’t be going into detail on is the Smart Stay. The S4 can detect if you are viewing the screen or not. While I was watching videos on the HTC, the screen would occasionally time out on me and I would need to start the video over again. I found this annoying. I don’t have this issue with the S4. Another cool feature is that when the S4 is lying down on a surface face up, you can wave your hand over the screen and it will wake to show you the status of your calls, emails, information bar, time/date etc. and go back to sleep. This feature works very well and does not randomly go off with every movement near it. The remote on the HTC was not fully compatible with my Google based Sony TV. The Samsung remote could access everything such as menu, input, volume, internet/source and so on. With the HTC, I was not able to access what input I would like to watch (i.e. DVD player/Over the Air/Cable). In regards to the keyboards for texting, the HTC is better. The HTC offers auto spell check while the S4 is suggestive. What I mean is that if you misspell a word in a text or email, the HTC will correct it automatically while the S4 will give you suggestions above the keyboard, but not automatically change the misspelled word for you. I also found the keyboard to be more readable and had less typing errors on the HTC. Again, this most likely can be fixed by getting a third party app from the Google Play store. I can run two programs at once. This is good for when I am trying to copy past a web-link from my browser into an email or am texting someone while working in another app. The S4 offers way more features than the HTC by far and there are just too many to cover in this review.
The S4 user interface is unappealing to me cosmetically. Samsung should have provided more themes from factory for the user. I preferred the HTC theme/layout. However, the S4 touch wiz interface gets the job done in all its colorful glory. But that’s where my favoritism with the HTC over the Sammy ends. The Samsung’s theme can be replaced through the Google Play store. In regards to the layout of the phone’s buttons, they are much preferable to me on the S4. The S4 lock button is on the side which is easier to access than at the very top of the phone like on the HTC One. This makes one-handed operation difficult and aggravating. The top lock button did not have a crisp/clean feel either. I also had difficulty at time with the capacitive buttons on the front of the screen on the HTC; they would randomly stop responding and take multiple presses/touches. The screen lagged at times too. What’s also neat about the S4 is that it has a simple mode that geared more towards those who are not so tech savvy. I found this neat, but not for me. One other feature out of a plethora that I won’t be going into detail on is the Smart Stay. The S4 can detect if you are viewing the screen or not. While I was watching videos on the HTC, the screen would occasionally time out on me and I would need to start the video over again. I found this annoying. I don’t have this issue with the S4. Another cool feature is that when the S4 is lying down on a surface face up, you can wave your hand over the screen and it will wake to show you the status of your calls, emails, information bar, time/date etc. and go back to sleep. This feature works very well and does not randomly go off with every movement near it. The remote on the HTC was not fully compatible with my Google based Sony TV. The Samsung remote could access everything such as menu, input, volume, internet/source and so on. With the HTC, I was not able to access what input I would like to watch (i.e. DVD player/Over the Air/Cable). In regards to the keyboards for texting, the HTC is better. The HTC offers auto spell check while the S4 is suggestive. What I mean is that if you misspell a word in a text or email, the HTC will correct it automatically while the S4 will give you suggestions above the keyboard, but not automatically change the misspelled word for you. I also found the keyboard to be more readable and had less typing errors on the HTC. Again, this most likely can be fixed by getting a third party app from the Google Play store. I can run two programs at once. This is good for when I am trying to copy past a web-link from my browser into an email or am texting someone while working in another app. The S4 offers way more features than the HTC by far and there are just too many to cover in this review.
Performance:
The S4 processor is a bit faster than the HTC; 200mhz faster. The interface on the S4 runs more smoothly than that of the HTC. I could care less about performance as long as the device runs smoothly overall. I’ll pick battery life over raw performance any day. The S4 ran smoother and has a faster processor. This works for me.
The S4 processor is a bit faster than the HTC; 200mhz faster. The interface on the S4 runs more smoothly than that of the HTC. I could care less about performance as long as the device runs smoothly overall. I’ll pick battery life over raw performance any day. The S4 ran smoother and has a faster processor. This works for me.
Screen:
I have to hand it to the HTC One, it had the best all-around screen indoors and outdoors. The colors were more natural and the screen was bright. The S4 offers a larger and more vivid screen with eye-popping colors. The pixel density is so tight between the two phones, I prefer the larger screen over pixel density at this point. The fact that one screen is larger than the other and have the same resolution is irrelevant. I can't see pixels on either one.
I have to hand it to the HTC One, it had the best all-around screen indoors and outdoors. The colors were more natural and the screen was bright. The S4 offers a larger and more vivid screen with eye-popping colors. The pixel density is so tight between the two phones, I prefer the larger screen over pixel density at this point. The fact that one screen is larger than the other and have the same resolution is irrelevant. I can't see pixels on either one.
Sound:
The call quality for both phones is equally good. However, the boom speakers slaughter the rear firing speaker on the S4. The rear speaker on the S4 is good, but the HTC sounds like a very small portable radio with stereo sound quality. Even the ringer and the alarm on the HTC uses the boom speakers. Just hope they don’t go off in your ear during a phone call.
The call quality for both phones is equally good. However, the boom speakers slaughter the rear firing speaker on the S4. The rear speaker on the S4 is good, but the HTC sounds like a very small portable radio with stereo sound quality. Even the ringer and the alarm on the HTC uses the boom speakers. Just hope they don’t go off in your ear during a phone call.
Battery:
The battery life is about the same between both phones. However, if the battery in the S4 goes bad, I have peace of mind that it can be replaced at a reasonable price. I also feel that the S4 will have a higher resale value given the replaceable battery. Also, the One barely made it through the day. The S4 makes it through with some reserve. If I don’t make it, I can replace the battery on the S4. Again, this gives me peace of mind. The HTC One is only good for the life of the battery.
The battery life is about the same between both phones. However, if the battery in the S4 goes bad, I have peace of mind that it can be replaced at a reasonable price. I also feel that the S4 will have a higher resale value given the replaceable battery. Also, the One barely made it through the day. The S4 makes it through with some reserve. If I don’t make it, I can replace the battery on the S4. Again, this gives me peace of mind. The HTC One is only good for the life of the battery.
Summary:
Both phones are great and you can’t go wrong with either one of them. I’ve found the S4 to be more practical and the build quality to actually be just as good as the HTC One in my view. The HTC One did feel unrefined and the molded plastic around the edges was pretty rough and unrefined as well. The Camera is going to be a personal preference. I am just as happy with the S4 camera, while I do prefer the HTC One because of its ability to take better shots in lower lighting conditions. I found the S4 interface to be simple and unappealing. It worked well though and interacting with the device was much more effortless than the HTC. Both screens are great; it’s your preference on which technology you prefer. I find the vividness of the amoled to be pretty neat. However, I also like that the HTC One ‘s screen is easier to see outdoors. The boom speakers are pretty amazing, but the S4 rear speaker will suffice. In a public setting, I would use headphones to watch a movie anyways. The S4 does come with headphones. The S4 has a plethora of sensors. There will most likely be some neat apps in the future that take advantage of them. Also, the S4 seems more high-tech to me hardware-wise and less dated than the HTC One. The HTC is a sealed phone. If anything goes, consider it a brick or doorstop. Pick your poison; they’re both great and the S4 works best for me.
Both phones are great and you can’t go wrong with either one of them. I’ve found the S4 to be more practical and the build quality to actually be just as good as the HTC One in my view. The HTC One did feel unrefined and the molded plastic around the edges was pretty rough and unrefined as well. The Camera is going to be a personal preference. I am just as happy with the S4 camera, while I do prefer the HTC One because of its ability to take better shots in lower lighting conditions. I found the S4 interface to be simple and unappealing. It worked well though and interacting with the device was much more effortless than the HTC. Both screens are great; it’s your preference on which technology you prefer. I find the vividness of the amoled to be pretty neat. However, I also like that the HTC One ‘s screen is easier to see outdoors. The boom speakers are pretty amazing, but the S4 rear speaker will suffice. In a public setting, I would use headphones to watch a movie anyways. The S4 does come with headphones. The S4 has a plethora of sensors. There will most likely be some neat apps in the future that take advantage of them. Also, the S4 seems more high-tech to me hardware-wise and less dated than the HTC One. The HTC is a sealed phone. If anything goes, consider it a brick or doorstop. Pick your poison; they’re both great and the S4 works best for me.
saint04
FL
Drop Test Vid
May 18, 2013
Here's a quick example of what I'm talking about with the glued in speaker grills. Also, there is injected molded plastic around the entire edge of the phone (Some back), which means this phone is not uni body. Only the back plate of this phone is partially uni-body...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIDm6jcQdeY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIDm6jcQdeY
+1point
1of 1voted this comment as helpful.
With a 5" Super AMOLED HD touch screen and an Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system, this Samsung Galaxy S 4 M919 cell phone makes it easy to stay connected on the go. The 13.0MP rear-facing camera lets you capture vibrant photos and video clips.Requires a minimum $20/month Web access fee with all Classic voice plans.Early termination fees may apply. Learn more about the Samsung Galaxy S 4
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5I Returned the HTC One for the S4
By saint04
from FL
Intro:
I originally purchased the HTC One from a local Tmobile franchise. So my review will contrast the S4 with the HTC One. When I got home, the HTC seemed right in about every way. Build quality in a premium priced device is always a top priority for me, which is why I chose it over the S4. I was fortunate to not have any dead pixels and the boom speakers should be a set standard for phones; they sound great. Samsung was one of the first to have forward facing speakers in a tablet. They should have carried this over into their phones. However, after learning more about the two phones, I realized I had purchased the wrong phone. So I returned the HTC One for the Samsung Galaxy S4. Read along to see why.
I originally purchased the HTC One from a local Tmobile franchise. So my review will contrast the S4 with the HTC One. When I got home, the HTC seemed right in about every way. Build quality in a premium priced device is always a top priority for me, which is why I chose it over the S4. I was fortunate to not have any dead pixels and the boom speakers should be a set standard for phones; they sound great. Samsung was one of the first to have forward facing speakers in a tablet. They should have carried this over into their phones. However, after learning more about the two phones, I realized I had purchased the wrong phone. So I returned the HTC One for the Samsung Galaxy S4. Read along to see why.
Build Quality:
The build quality of the S4 feels great and sturdy in the hand. It is slimmer than the One, has a larger screen and weighs less. While it doesn't have as much of the premium fit and finish feel as the HTC One, it is just as sturdy. One large disappoint I had with the HTC One was that I realized it had not come with the 3rd generation of Gorilla Glass after purchasing it. My fault. HTC chose to use Gorilla Glass 2. Gorilla Glass 3rd Gen is 3x's less likely to scratch. Also, after watching some drop tests, I found that the poly-carbonate body (white color) of the S4 holds up better cosmetically when scratched or dropped. I am OCD at times and I don't tolerate scratches and scuffs well. So, if this does happen, the worst case scenario is that I can replace the back cover of the S4. The front of the phone is completely covered in 3rd Gen Gorilla Glass. This is one of the reasons why I believe the S4 does not have front facing speakers. Samsung choose to cover the entire front with glass and speaker grills would interfere with this design choice. One other thing that I found very disturbing about the HTC One is that the front speaker grills are lightly glued on. In some of the drop tests I observed (youtube), they easily popped off and would not press back in. This is not part of a premium design to me. Also, the speaker grills on the One will sometimes have gaps. Most users will put a case on their phone. Given this, I think the Samsung polycarbonate body is more practical and durable in everyday use.
The build quality of the S4 feels great and sturdy in the hand. It is slimmer than the One, has a larger screen and weighs less. While it doesn't have as much of the premium fit and finish feel as the HTC One, it is just as sturdy. One large disappoint I had with the HTC One was that I realized it had not come with the 3rd generation of Gorilla Glass after purchasing it. My fault. HTC chose to use Gorilla Glass 2. Gorilla Glass 3rd Gen is 3x's less likely to scratch. Also, after watching some drop tests, I found that the poly-carbonate body (white color) of the S4 holds up better cosmetically when scratched or dropped. I am OCD at times and I don't tolerate scratches and scuffs well. So, if this does happen, the worst case scenario is that I can replace the back cover of the S4. The front of the phone is completely covered in 3rd Gen Gorilla Glass. This is one of the reasons why I believe the S4 does not have front facing speakers. Samsung choose to cover the entire front with glass and speaker grills would interfere with this design choice. One other thing that I found very disturbing about the HTC One is that the front speaker grills are lightly glued on. In some of the drop tests I observed (youtube), they easily popped off and would not press back in. This is not part of a premium design to me. Also, the speaker grills on the One will sometimes have gaps. Most users will put a case on their phone. Given this, I think the Samsung polycarbonate body is more practical and durable in everyday use.
Camera:
The S4 has a great camera and shows a vivid amount of detail and color in the right lighting. However, I found the 4MP camera on the HTC to be more practical and preferable. I don’t really believe one is really better than the other for either phone. But I do believe the HTC is the better all-around camera for taking pictures while the S4 expresses more details and has more picture/recording/editing/affect options.
Storage:
I don’t have much to say. The S4 comes with 16GB with about 9GB usable for apps. There is a memory expansion slot on the S4 that can be expanded with a 64GB micro SD card, while the HTC comes with 32GB in the base model.
The S4 has a great camera and shows a vivid amount of detail and color in the right lighting. However, I found the 4MP camera on the HTC to be more practical and preferable. I don’t really believe one is really better than the other for either phone. But I do believe the HTC is the better all-around camera for taking pictures while the S4 expresses more details and has more picture/recording/editing/affect options.
Storage:
I don’t have much to say. The S4 comes with 16GB with about 9GB usable for apps. There is a memory expansion slot on the S4 that can be expanded with a 64GB micro SD card, while the HTC comes with 32GB in the base model.
Interface (Human Factors/Interface)
The S4 user interface is unappealing to me cosmetically. Samsung should have provided more themes from factory for the user. I preferred the HTC theme/layout. However, the S4 touch wiz interface gets the job done in all its colorful glory. But that’s where my favoritism with the HTC over the Sammy ends. The Samsung’s theme can be replaced through the Google Play store. In regards to the layout of the phone’s buttons, they are much preferable to me on the S4. The S4 lock button is on the side which is easier to access than at the very top of the phone like on the HTC One. This makes one-handed operation difficult and aggravating. The top lock button did not have a crisp/clean feel either. I also had difficulty at time with the capacitive buttons on the front of the screen on the HTC; they would randomly stop responding and take multiple presses/touches. The screen lagged at times too. What’s also neat about the S4 is that it has a simple mode that geared more towards those who are not so tech savvy. I found this neat, but not for me. One other feature out of a plethora that I won’t be going into detail on is the Smart Stay. The S4 can detect if you are viewing the screen or not. While I was watching videos on the HTC, the screen would occasionally time out on me and I would need to start the video over again. I found this annoying. I don’t have this issue with the S4. Another cool feature is that when the S4 is lying down on a surface face up, you can wave your hand over the screen and it will wake to show you the status of your calls, emails, information bar, time/date etc. and go back to sleep. This feature works very well and does not randomly go off with every movement near it. The remote on the HTC was not fully compatible with my Google based Sony TV. The Samsung remote could access everything such as menu, input, volume, internet/source and so on. With the HTC, I was not able to access what input I would like to watch (i.e. DVD player/Over the Air/Cable). In regards to the keyboards for texting, the HTC is better. The HTC offers auto spell check while the S4 is suggestive. What I mean is that if you misspell a word in a text or email, the HTC will correct it automatically while the S4 will give you suggestions above the keyboard, but not automatically change the misspelled word for you. I also found the keyboard to be more readable and had less typing errors on the HTC. Again, this most likely can be fixed by getting a third party app from the Google Play store. I can run two programs at once. This is good for when I am trying to copy past a web-link from my browser into an email or am texting someone while working in another app. The S4 offers way more features than the HTC by far and there are just too many to cover in this review.
The S4 user interface is unappealing to me cosmetically. Samsung should have provided more themes from factory for the user. I preferred the HTC theme/layout. However, the S4 touch wiz interface gets the job done in all its colorful glory. But that’s where my favoritism with the HTC over the Sammy ends. The Samsung’s theme can be replaced through the Google Play store. In regards to the layout of the phone’s buttons, they are much preferable to me on the S4. The S4 lock button is on the side which is easier to access than at the very top of the phone like on the HTC One. This makes one-handed operation difficult and aggravating. The top lock button did not have a crisp/clean feel either. I also had difficulty at time with the capacitive buttons on the front of the screen on the HTC; they would randomly stop responding and take multiple presses/touches. The screen lagged at times too. What’s also neat about the S4 is that it has a simple mode that geared more towards those who are not so tech savvy. I found this neat, but not for me. One other feature out of a plethora that I won’t be going into detail on is the Smart Stay. The S4 can detect if you are viewing the screen or not. While I was watching videos on the HTC, the screen would occasionally time out on me and I would need to start the video over again. I found this annoying. I don’t have this issue with the S4. Another cool feature is that when the S4 is lying down on a surface face up, you can wave your hand over the screen and it will wake to show you the status of your calls, emails, information bar, time/date etc. and go back to sleep. This feature works very well and does not randomly go off with every movement near it. The remote on the HTC was not fully compatible with my Google based Sony TV. The Samsung remote could access everything such as menu, input, volume, internet/source and so on. With the HTC, I was not able to access what input I would like to watch (i.e. DVD player/Over the Air/Cable). In regards to the keyboards for texting, the HTC is better. The HTC offers auto spell check while the S4 is suggestive. What I mean is that if you misspell a word in a text or email, the HTC will correct it automatically while the S4 will give you suggestions above the keyboard, but not automatically change the misspelled word for you. I also found the keyboard to be more readable and had less typing errors on the HTC. Again, this most likely can be fixed by getting a third party app from the Google Play store. I can run two programs at once. This is good for when I am trying to copy past a web-link from my browser into an email or am texting someone while working in another app. The S4 offers way more features than the HTC by far and there are just too many to cover in this review.
Performance:
The S4 processor is a bit faster than the HTC; 200mhz faster. The interface on the S4 runs more smoothly than that of the HTC. I could care less about performance as long as the device runs smoothly overall. I’ll pick battery life over raw performance any day. The S4 ran smoother and has a faster processor. This works for me.
Screen:
I have to hand it to the HTC One, it had the best all-around screen indoors and outdoors. The colors were more natural and the screen was bright. The S4 offers a larger and more vivid screen with eye-popping colors. The pixel density is so tight between the two phones, I prefer the larger screen over pixel density at this point. The fact that one screen is larger than the other and have the same resolution is irrelevant. I can't see pixels on either one.
The S4 processor is a bit faster than the HTC; 200mhz faster. The interface on the S4 runs more smoothly than that of the HTC. I could care less about performance as long as the device runs smoothly overall. I’ll pick battery life over raw performance any day. The S4 ran smoother and has a faster processor. This works for me.
Screen:
I have to hand it to the HTC One, it had the best all-around screen indoors and outdoors. The colors were more natural and the screen was bright. The S4 offers a larger and more vivid screen with eye-popping colors. The pixel density is so tight between the two phones, I prefer the larger screen over pixel density at this point. The fact that one screen is larger than the other and have the same resolution is irrelevant. I can't see pixels on either one.
Sound:
The call quality for both phones is equally good. However, the boom speakers slaughter the rear firing speaker on the S4. The rear speaker on the S4 is good, but the HTC sounds like a very small portable radio with stereo sound quality. Even the ringer and the alarm on the HTC uses the boom speakers. Just hope they don’t go off in your ear during a phone call.
Battery:
The battery life is about the same between both phones. However, if the battery in the S4 goes bad, I have peace of mind that it can be replaced at a reasonable price. I also feel that the S4 will have a higher resale value given the replaceable battery. Also, the One barely made it through the day. The S4 makes it through with some reserve. If I don’t make it, I can replace the battery on the S4. Again, this gives me peace of mind. The HTC One is only good for the life of the battery.
The call quality for both phones is equally good. However, the boom speakers slaughter the rear firing speaker on the S4. The rear speaker on the S4 is good, but the HTC sounds like a very small portable radio with stereo sound quality. Even the ringer and the alarm on the HTC uses the boom speakers. Just hope they don’t go off in your ear during a phone call.
Battery:
The battery life is about the same between both phones. However, if the battery in the S4 goes bad, I have peace of mind that it can be replaced at a reasonable price. I also feel that the S4 will have a higher resale value given the replaceable battery. Also, the One barely made it through the day. The S4 makes it through with some reserve. If I don’t make it, I can replace the battery on the S4. Again, this gives me peace of mind. The HTC One is only good for the life of the battery.
Summary:
Both phones are great and you can’t go wrong with either one of them. I’ve found the S4 to be more practical and the build quality to actually be just as good as the HTC One in my view. The HTC One did feel unrefined and the molded plastic around the edges was pretty rough and unrefined as well. The Camera is going to be a personal preference. I am just as happy with the S4 camera, while I do prefer the HTC One because of its ability to take better shots in lower lighting conditions. I found the S4 interface to be simple and unappealing. It worked well though and interacting with the device was much more effortless than the HTC. Both screens are great; it’s your preference on which technology you prefer. I find the vividness of the amoled to be pretty neat. However, I also like that the HTC One ‘s screen is easier to see outdoors. The boom speakers are pretty amazing, but the S4 rear speaker will suffice. In a public setting, I would use headphones to watch a movie anyways. The S4 does come with headphones. The S4 has a plethora of sensors. There will most likely be some neat apps in the future that take advantage of them. Also, the S4 seems more high-tech to me hardware-wise and less dated than the HTC One. The HTC is a sealed phone. If anything goes, consider it a brick or doorstop. Pick your poison; they’re both great and the S4 works best for me.
Both phones are great and you can’t go wrong with either one of them. I’ve found the S4 to be more practical and the build quality to actually be just as good as the HTC One in my view. The HTC One did feel unrefined and the molded plastic around the edges was pretty rough and unrefined as well. The Camera is going to be a personal preference. I am just as happy with the S4 camera, while I do prefer the HTC One because of its ability to take better shots in lower lighting conditions. I found the S4 interface to be simple and unappealing. It worked well though and interacting with the device was much more effortless than the HTC. Both screens are great; it’s your preference on which technology you prefer. I find the vividness of the amoled to be pretty neat. However, I also like that the HTC One ‘s screen is easier to see outdoors. The boom speakers are pretty amazing, but the S4 rear speaker will suffice. In a public setting, I would use headphones to watch a movie anyways. The S4 does come with headphones. The S4 has a plethora of sensors. There will most likely be some neat apps in the future that take advantage of them. Also, the S4 seems more high-tech to me hardware-wise and less dated than the HTC One. The HTC is a sealed phone. If anything goes, consider it a brick or doorstop. Pick your poison; they’re both great and the S4 works best for me.
saint04
FL
HTC One Drop Test
May 19, 2013
Here's a quick example of what I'm talking about with the glued in speaker grills. Also, there is injected molded plastic around the entire edge of the phone (Some back), which means this phone is not uni body. Only the back plate of this phone is partially uni-body...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIDm6jcQdeY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIDm6jcQdeY
+1point
2of 3voted this comment as helpful.
With a 5" Super AMOLED HD touch screen and an Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system, this Samsung Galaxy S 4 M919 cell phone makes it easy to stay connected on the go. The 13.0MP rear-facing camera lets you capture vibrant photos and video clips.Requires a minimum $20/month Web access fee with all Classic voice plans.Early termination fees may apply. Learn more about the Samsung Galaxy S 4
Overall5 out of 5
5 out of 5I Returned the HTC One for the S4
By saint04
from FL
Intro:
I originally purchased the HTC One from a local Tmobile franchise. So my review will contrast the S4 with the HTC One. When I got home, the HTC seemed right in about every way. Build quality in a premium priced device is always a top priority for me, which is why I chose it over the S4. I was fortunate to not have any dead pixels and the boom speakers should be a set standard for phones; they sound great. Samsung was one of the first to have forward facing speakers in a tablet. They should have carried this over into their phones. However, after learning more about the two phones, I realized I had purchased the wrong phone. So I returned the HTC One for the Samsung Galaxy S4. Read along to see why.
I originally purchased the HTC One from a local Tmobile franchise. So my review will contrast the S4 with the HTC One. When I got home, the HTC seemed right in about every way. Build quality in a premium priced device is always a top priority for me, which is why I chose it over the S4. I was fortunate to not have any dead pixels and the boom speakers should be a set standard for phones; they sound great. Samsung was one of the first to have forward facing speakers in a tablet. They should have carried this over into their phones. However, after learning more about the two phones, I realized I had purchased the wrong phone. So I returned the HTC One for the Samsung Galaxy S4. Read along to see why.
Build Quality:
The build quality of the S4 feels great and sturdy in the hand. It is slimmer than the One, has a larger screen and weighs less. While it doesn't have as much of the premium fit and finish feel as the HTC One, it is just as sturdy. One large disappoint I had with the HTC One was that I realized it had not come with the 3rd generation of Gorilla Glass after purchasing it. My fault. HTC chose to use Gorilla Glass 2. Gorilla Glass 3rd Gen is 3x's less likely to scratch. Also, after watching some drop tests, I found that the poly-carbonate body (white color) of the S4 holds up better cosmetically when scratched or dropped. I am OCD at times and I don't tolerate scratches and scuffs well. So, if this does happen, the worst case scenario is that I can replace the back cover of the S4. The front of the phone is completely covered in 3rd Gen Gorilla Glass. This is one of the reasons why I believe the S4 does not have front facing speakers. Samsung choose to cover the entire front with glass and speaker grills would interfere with this design choice. One other thing that I found very disturbing about the HTC One is that the front speaker grills are lightly glued on. In some of the drop tests I observed (youtube), they easily popped off and would not press back in. This is not part of a premium design to me. Also, the speaker grills on the One will sometimes have gaps. Most users will put a case on their phone. Given this, I think the Samsung polycarbonate body is more practical and durable in everyday use.
The build quality of the S4 feels great and sturdy in the hand. It is slimmer than the One, has a larger screen and weighs less. While it doesn't have as much of the premium fit and finish feel as the HTC One, it is just as sturdy. One large disappoint I had with the HTC One was that I realized it had not come with the 3rd generation of Gorilla Glass after purchasing it. My fault. HTC chose to use Gorilla Glass 2. Gorilla Glass 3rd Gen is 3x's less likely to scratch. Also, after watching some drop tests, I found that the poly-carbonate body (white color) of the S4 holds up better cosmetically when scratched or dropped. I am OCD at times and I don't tolerate scratches and scuffs well. So, if this does happen, the worst case scenario is that I can replace the back cover of the S4. The front of the phone is completely covered in 3rd Gen Gorilla Glass. This is one of the reasons why I believe the S4 does not have front facing speakers. Samsung choose to cover the entire front with glass and speaker grills would interfere with this design choice. One other thing that I found very disturbing about the HTC One is that the front speaker grills are lightly glued on. In some of the drop tests I observed (youtube), they easily popped off and would not press back in. This is not part of a premium design to me. Also, the speaker grills on the One will sometimes have gaps. Most users will put a case on their phone. Given this, I think the Samsung polycarbonate body is more practical and durable in everyday use.
Camera:
The S4 has a great camera and shows a vivid amount of detail and color in the right lighting. However, I found the 4MP camera on the HTC to be more practical and preferable. I don’t really believe one is really better than the other for either phone. But I do believe the HTC is the better all-around camera for taking pictures while the S4 expresses more details and has more picture/recording/editing/affect options.
Storage:
I don’t have much to say. The S4 comes with 16GB with about 9GB usable for apps. There is a memory expansion slot on the S4 that can be expanded with a 64GB micro SD card, while the HTC comes with 32GB in the base model.
The S4 has a great camera and shows a vivid amount of detail and color in the right lighting. However, I found the 4MP camera on the HTC to be more practical and preferable. I don’t really believe one is really better than the other for either phone. But I do believe the HTC is the better all-around camera for taking pictures while the S4 expresses more details and has more picture/recording/editing/affect options.
Storage:
I don’t have much to say. The S4 comes with 16GB with about 9GB usable for apps. There is a memory expansion slot on the S4 that can be expanded with a 64GB micro SD card, while the HTC comes with 32GB in the base model.
Interface (Human Factors/Interface)
The S4 user interface is unappealing to me cosmetically. Samsung should have provided more themes from factory for the user. I preferred the HTC theme/layout. However, the S4 touch wiz interface gets the job done in all its colorful glory. But that’s where my favoritism with the HTC over the Sammy ends. The Samsung’s theme can be replaced through the Google Play store. In regards to the layout of the phone’s buttons, they are much preferable to me on the S4. The S4 lock button is on the side which is easier to access than at the very top of the phone like on the HTC One. This makes one-handed operation difficult and aggravating. The top lock button did not have a crisp/clean feel either. I also had difficulty at time with the capacitive buttons on the front of the screen on the HTC; they would randomly stop responding and take multiple presses/touches. The screen lagged at times too. What’s also neat about the S4 is that it has a simple mode that geared more towards those who are not so tech savvy. I found this neat, but not for me. One other feature out of a plethora that I won’t be going into detail on is the Smart Stay. The S4 can detect if you are viewing the screen or not. While I was watching videos on the HTC, the screen would occasionally time out on me and I would need to start the video over again. I found this annoying. I don’t have this issue with the S4. Another cool feature is that when the S4 is lying down on a surface face up, you can wave your hand over the screen and it will wake to show you the status of your calls, emails, information bar, time/date etc. and go back to sleep. This feature works very well and does not randomly go off with every movement near it. The remote on the HTC was not fully compatible with my Google based Sony TV. The Samsung remote could access everything such as menu, input, volume, internet/source and so on. With the HTC, I was not able to access what input I would like to watch (i.e. DVD player/Over the Air/Cable). In regards to the keyboards for texting, the HTC is better. The HTC offers auto spell check while the S4 is suggestive. What I mean is that if you misspell a word in a text or email, the HTC will correct it automatically while the S4 will give you suggestions above the keyboard, but not automatically change the misspelled word for you. I also found the keyboard to be more readable and had less typing errors on the HTC. Again, this most likely can be fixed by getting a third party app from the Google Play store. I can run two programs at once. This is good for when I am trying to copy past a web-link from my browser into an email or am texting someone while working in another app. The S4 offers way more features than the HTC by far and there are just too many to cover in this review.
The S4 user interface is unappealing to me cosmetically. Samsung should have provided more themes from factory for the user. I preferred the HTC theme/layout. However, the S4 touch wiz interface gets the job done in all its colorful glory. But that’s where my favoritism with the HTC over the Sammy ends. The Samsung’s theme can be replaced through the Google Play store. In regards to the layout of the phone’s buttons, they are much preferable to me on the S4. The S4 lock button is on the side which is easier to access than at the very top of the phone like on the HTC One. This makes one-handed operation difficult and aggravating. The top lock button did not have a crisp/clean feel either. I also had difficulty at time with the capacitive buttons on the front of the screen on the HTC; they would randomly stop responding and take multiple presses/touches. The screen lagged at times too. What’s also neat about the S4 is that it has a simple mode that geared more towards those who are not so tech savvy. I found this neat, but not for me. One other feature out of a plethora that I won’t be going into detail on is the Smart Stay. The S4 can detect if you are viewing the screen or not. While I was watching videos on the HTC, the screen would occasionally time out on me and I would need to start the video over again. I found this annoying. I don’t have this issue with the S4. Another cool feature is that when the S4 is lying down on a surface face up, you can wave your hand over the screen and it will wake to show you the status of your calls, emails, information bar, time/date etc. and go back to sleep. This feature works very well and does not randomly go off with every movement near it. The remote on the HTC was not fully compatible with my Google based Sony TV. The Samsung remote could access everything such as menu, input, volume, internet/source and so on. With the HTC, I was not able to access what input I would like to watch (i.e. DVD player/Over the Air/Cable). In regards to the keyboards for texting, the HTC is better. The HTC offers auto spell check while the S4 is suggestive. What I mean is that if you misspell a word in a text or email, the HTC will correct it automatically while the S4 will give you suggestions above the keyboard, but not automatically change the misspelled word for you. I also found the keyboard to be more readable and had less typing errors on the HTC. Again, this most likely can be fixed by getting a third party app from the Google Play store. I can run two programs at once. This is good for when I am trying to copy past a web-link from my browser into an email or am texting someone while working in another app. The S4 offers way more features than the HTC by far and there are just too many to cover in this review.
Performance:
The S4 processor is a bit faster than the HTC; 200mhz faster. The interface on the S4 runs more smoothly than that of the HTC. I could care less about performance as long as the device runs smoothly overall. I’ll pick battery life over raw performance any day. The S4 ran smoother and has a faster processor. This works for me.
Screen:
I have to hand it to the HTC One, it had the best all-around screen indoors and outdoors. The colors were more natural and the screen was bright. The S4 offers a larger and more vivid screen with eye-popping colors. The pixel density is so tight between the two phones, I prefer the larger screen over pixel density at this point. The fact that one screen is larger than the other and have the same resolution is irrelevant. I can't see pixels on either one.
The S4 processor is a bit faster than the HTC; 200mhz faster. The interface on the S4 runs more smoothly than that of the HTC. I could care less about performance as long as the device runs smoothly overall. I’ll pick battery life over raw performance any day. The S4 ran smoother and has a faster processor. This works for me.
Screen:
I have to hand it to the HTC One, it had the best all-around screen indoors and outdoors. The colors were more natural and the screen was bright. The S4 offers a larger and more vivid screen with eye-popping colors. The pixel density is so tight between the two phones, I prefer the larger screen over pixel density at this point. The fact that one screen is larger than the other and have the same resolution is irrelevant. I can't see pixels on either one.
Sound:
The call quality for both phones is equally good. However, the boom speakers slaughter the rear firing speaker on the S4. The rear speaker on the S4 is good, but the HTC sounds like a very small portable radio with stereo sound quality. Even the ringer and the alarm on the HTC uses the boom speakers. Just hope they don’t go off in your ear during a phone call.
Battery:
The battery life is about the same between both phones. However, if the battery in the S4 goes bad, I have peace of mind that it can be replaced at a reasonable price. I also feel that the S4 will have a higher resale value given the replaceable battery. Also, the One barely made it through the day. The S4 makes it through with some reserve. If I don’t make it, I can replace the battery on the S4. Again, this gives me peace of mind. The HTC One is only good for the life of the battery.
The call quality for both phones is equally good. However, the boom speakers slaughter the rear firing speaker on the S4. The rear speaker on the S4 is good, but the HTC sounds like a very small portable radio with stereo sound quality. Even the ringer and the alarm on the HTC uses the boom speakers. Just hope they don’t go off in your ear during a phone call.
Battery:
The battery life is about the same between both phones. However, if the battery in the S4 goes bad, I have peace of mind that it can be replaced at a reasonable price. I also feel that the S4 will have a higher resale value given the replaceable battery. Also, the One barely made it through the day. The S4 makes it through with some reserve. If I don’t make it, I can replace the battery on the S4. Again, this gives me peace of mind. The HTC One is only good for the life of the battery.
Summary:
Both phones are great and you can’t go wrong with either one of them. I’ve found the S4 to be more practical and the build quality to actually be just as good as the HTC One in my view. The HTC One did feel unrefined and the molded plastic around the edges was pretty rough and unrefined as well. The Camera is going to be a personal preference. I am just as happy with the S4 camera, while I do prefer the HTC One because of its ability to take better shots in lower lighting conditions. I found the S4 interface to be simple and unappealing. It worked well though and interacting with the device was much more effortless than the HTC. Both screens are great; it’s your preference on which technology you prefer. I find the vividness of the amoled to be pretty neat. However, I also like that the HTC One ‘s screen is easier to see outdoors. The boom speakers are pretty amazing, but the S4 rear speaker will suffice. In a public setting, I would use headphones to watch a movie anyways. The S4 does come with headphones. The S4 has a plethora of sensors. There will most likely be some neat apps in the future that take advantage of them. Also, the S4 seems more high-tech to me hardware-wise and less dated than the HTC One. The HTC is a sealed phone. If anything goes, consider it a brick or doorstop. Pick your poison; they’re both great and the S4 works best for me.
Both phones are great and you can’t go wrong with either one of them. I’ve found the S4 to be more practical and the build quality to actually be just as good as the HTC One in my view. The HTC One did feel unrefined and the molded plastic around the edges was pretty rough and unrefined as well. The Camera is going to be a personal preference. I am just as happy with the S4 camera, while I do prefer the HTC One because of its ability to take better shots in lower lighting conditions. I found the S4 interface to be simple and unappealing. It worked well though and interacting with the device was much more effortless than the HTC. Both screens are great; it’s your preference on which technology you prefer. I find the vividness of the amoled to be pretty neat. However, I also like that the HTC One ‘s screen is easier to see outdoors. The boom speakers are pretty amazing, but the S4 rear speaker will suffice. In a public setting, I would use headphones to watch a movie anyways. The S4 does come with headphones. The S4 has a plethora of sensors. There will most likely be some neat apps in the future that take advantage of them. Also, the S4 seems more high-tech to me hardware-wise and less dated than the HTC One. The HTC is a sealed phone. If anything goes, consider it a brick or doorstop. Pick your poison; they’re both great and the S4 works best for me.
saint04
FL
Ditto
May 21, 2013
Totally agree Burnsjoy. Thanks for the comment.
-2points
0of 2voted this comment as helpful.
Toshiba Satellite P75-A7200 Laptop: This laptop boasts a large Full HD widescreen so you can view your favorite movies at their best and position two windows side by side. It's backed by lots of power plus Harman/Kardon speakers for great sound.Learn more about the New Windows ›
Overall
2 out of 5
2 out of 5Decent full-size laptop
By sixdown
from DC
Toshiba seems to be intentially handicapping this laptop to prevent users from installing anything other than Windows 8 on it. Installing ANY version of linux leads to boot issues, thanks to Toshiba's ridiculous boot firmware. Windows 8 is incredibly annoying. Even windows 7 drivers are missing because Toshiba intentionally wants to prevent users from getting rid of Windows 8...its like a PC Macbook.
Oh, and the touchpad gets in the way a lot while typing. It's a bit too far to the left.
saint04
FL
Misinformed?
August 20, 2013
The issue you are having installing Linux is a Windows 8 issue; not so much exclusive to just Toshiba. I could be wrong, but that's been my experience thus far.
-1point
0of 1voted this comment as helpful.
saint04's Questions
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saint04's Answers
With the integrated Kickstand, the ability to run desktop software and touch apps, and a full-size USB port, Surface 3 is a perfect mix of innovation and practicality. As thin and light as it is, you'll be amazed at all you can achieve with this device.Now for a limited time, Surface 3 tablets include 1 year of Microsoft Office 365 Personal (a $69.99 value) plus OneDrive cloud storage. Office activation required within 6 months of Windows activation date. Offer valid while supplies last.
money program
Can a money program be installed on the surface 3?
This is a full windows tablet. Depending on the "money" program, it may or may not work. Since most "money" programs are not CPU intensive, the one you are thinking of will likely work.
8 years, 11 months ago
by
saint04
FL
With the integrated Kickstand, the ability to run desktop software and touch apps, and a full-size USB port, Surface 3 is a perfect mix of innovation and practicality. As thin and light as it is, you'll be amazed at all you can achieve with this device.Now for a limited time, Surface 3 tablets include 1 year of Microsoft Office 365 Personal (a $69.99 value) plus OneDrive cloud storage. Office activation required within 6 months of Windows activation date. Offer valid while supplies last.
Can this power an external dvd drive from the USB?
Will the Surface 3 power an external dvd drive from the USB?
The Surface Pro 3 is unable to do this without another source of power for the external dvd drive. On the SP3 in order to use an external dvd drive I have to have a cable that connects to the USB on the SP3 and an external USB, such as the SP3 plugs extra slot, to use the external dvd drive.
Is the Surface 3 able to power the external dvd without an additional power source?
The Surface Pro 3 is unable to do this without another source of power for the external dvd drive. On the SP3 in order to use an external dvd drive I have to have a cable that connects to the USB on the SP3 and an external USB, such as the SP3 plugs extra slot, to use the external dvd drive.
Is the Surface 3 able to power the external dvd without an additional power source?
I'm able to run an external hard drive (platter driven; not SSD) from the USB port on my Surface 3. I don't see why it wouldn't be able to run an external USB driven DVD drive. On my Surface 2 (RT) I was able to power an external DVD drive from the company iomega... I don't see why the Surface 3 wouldn't work.
8 years, 11 months ago
by
saint04
FL